May 17, 2014

Saudia Arabia: MOH debunks MERS misconceptions

Myth 1: There are claims of cures or vaccines being discovered for the virus.

Reality: According to the current medical consensus there is currently no vaccine to prevent infection or cure for people who have tested positive for infection. Accordingly, what is being done to help patients recover are standard medical interventions to reduce symptoms and manage complications. However everyone can take precautions by following the prevention guidelines and exercising common sense.

Myth 2: Some people planning to perform Hajj and Umrah have been advised to cancel their trips out of concern of infection and spread.

Reality: The Ministry of Health has not yet issued any advisories regarding Hajj or Umrah, but based on the current medical consensus, people over 65, pregnant women, and children under 12, and those suffering immunodeficiency or chronic ailments are advised to postpone their trip. However everyone can take precautions by following the prevention guidelines and exercising common sense.

Reality: No travel bans to KSA have been enforced by any country, and travellers from the Kingdom have not faced any problems entering other countries around the world. The World Health Organisation has not recommended any travel restrictions to or from KSA.

Myth 4: This is an epidemic.

Reality: According to the World Health Organisation, there is no epidemic for the time being, but the Ministry of Health is taking all the precautions and other necessary actions to reduce the risk of the virus spreading and is working to achieve that with a number of leading international specialists and organisations including the WHO, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Myth 1: There are claims of cures or vaccines being discovered for the virus.

Reality: According to the current medical consensus there is currently no vaccine to prevent infection or cure for people who have tested positive for infection. Accordingly, what is being done to help patients recover are standard medical interventions to reduce symptoms and manage complications. However everyone can take precautions by following the prevention guidelines and exercising common sense.

Myth 2: Some people planning to perform Hajj and Umrah have been advised to cancel their trips out of concern of infection and spread.

Reality: The Ministry of Health has not yet issued any advisories regarding Hajj or Umrah, but based on the current medical consensus, people over 65, pregnant women, and children under 12, and those suffering immunodeficiency or chronic ailments are advised to postpone their trip. However everyone can take precautions by following the prevention guidelines and exercising common sense.

Reality: No travel bans to KSA have been enforced by any country, and travellers from the Kingdom have not faced any problems entering other countries around the world. The World Health Organisation has not recommended any travel restrictions to or from KSA.

Myth 4: This is an epidemic.

Reality: According to the World Health Organisation, there is no epidemic for the time being, but the Ministry of Health is taking all the precautions and other necessary actions to reduce the risk of the virus spreading and is working to achieve that with a number of leading international specialists and organisations including the WHO, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).